as in excellent
of the very best kind
a first-string rendition of the musical piece
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Recent Examples of first-string
While the Steelers gave Warren a modest contract extension just before the start of the season, there really is no definitive first-string running back, which is just the way offensive coordinator Arthur Smith likes it.
—
CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
The Colorado product will be expected to improve after operating as the team's first-string quarterback with Gabriel remaining in the NFL's concussion protocol.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 23 Nov. 2025
Tustin’s first-string defense was just as overwhelming, holding the Vanguards to negative-16 yards in the first half while the offense built a 48-0 lead.
—Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
Most importantly, many defensive special-teams rushers are first-string players, whereas the blockers tend to be second- and third-string players.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
On a rest day for Bo Nix and much of the Broncos’ first-string crew, backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, and a few key depth pieces, led the Broncos to a 27-7 beatdown of the Cardinals at Empower Field on Saturday night.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
That is an obvious but nevertheless tempting play with Burrow and the first-string offense in action.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
That has not kept Henderson from receiving snaps with Maye and the rest of the first-string offense, however.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 July 2025
Young guys typically have to earn their way to first-string snaps.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2025
CBS News, 27 Dec. 2025
The Colorado product will be expected to improve after operating as the team's first-string quarterback with Gabriel remaining in the NFL's concussion protocol.
—Jacob Camenker, USA Today, 23 Nov. 2025
Tustin’s first-string defense was just as overwhelming, holding the Vanguards to negative-16 yards in the first half while the offense built a 48-0 lead.
—Dan Arritt, Oc Register, 18 Oct. 2025
Most importantly, many defensive special-teams rushers are first-string players, whereas the blockers tend to be second- and third-string players.
—J.j. Bailey, New York Times, 12 Oct. 2025
On a rest day for Bo Nix and much of the Broncos’ first-string crew, backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham, and a few key depth pieces, led the Broncos to a 27-7 beatdown of the Cardinals at Empower Field on Saturday night.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
That is an obvious but nevertheless tempting play with Burrow and the first-string offense in action.
—Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Aug. 2025
That has not kept Henderson from receiving snaps with Maye and the rest of the first-string offense, however.
—Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 27 July 2025
Young guys typically have to earn their way to first-string snaps.
—Jesse Newell, Kansas City Star, 26 July 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for first-string
Adjective
-
There is some excellent location-shooting in downtown Los Angeles during the climax, seen through the lens of a bodycam or quadcopter or drone camera.—
Katie Walsh,
Boston Herald,
22 Jan. 2026
-
The soft flannel top and plush faux shearling fleece underside provide excellent heat retention for serious coziness.—
Jacquelyn McGilvray,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Lincoln Square condo, which combined a prewar aesthetic and prime location on the park with all the advantages of a new-construction condo, turned the clubby, co-op-centric world of New York real estate into a speculative game for global billionaires.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The move came after The Dallas Morning News contacted West about the event, considering Washburne’s recent proposal to move City Hall and repurpose its prime downtown site, including for a possible arena.—
Devyani Chhetri,
Dallas Morning News,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Special mention must be made of the in-room minibars, which are terrific, and so extensive that they are contained not within a single small fridge but an entire chest of drawers.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
8 Jan. 2026
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Lenert made a terrific save on a solid strike by JSerra midfielder Carter Biondolillo, with Lenert diving to his left to make the crucial stop in the second half.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The New York Jets retained first-year coach Aaron Glenn, whose roster was less than stellar, but his coaching mishaps did not help.—
Gladys Louise Tyler,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Before exiting the Mavericks game, Kuminga had scored 10 points in nine minutes and made all three of his shot attempts and each of his four free throws, and was a stellar plus-18 in his short stint.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Among thrash metal’s Big Four, which includes Metallica, Megadeth Slayer, and Anthrax, Megadeth have always stood out for having superb instrumentalists throughout its career.—
Quentin Thane Singer,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
-
And somehow, all that wackiness has coalesced into a superb and consistently funny TV show, which made USA TODAY's list of the 10 best TV shows of 2025.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
22 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
There are plenty of great restaurants, but alongside them disappointments.—
Kate Krader,
Bloomberg,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Another 2022 study from Rutgers University, focused on COVID-19 news, found that greater daily exposure to news about the virus was linked to higher same-day and next-day worry about the pandemic as well as feelings of hopelessness and general worry.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Thank you all for a wonderful discussion.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
The team Pep Guardiola built in the early 2010s, combining the wonderful passing of Xavi Hernandez and Andrés Iniesta with the twinkling magic of Lionel Messi, will forever be remembered.—
Zak Garner-Purkis,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Her signature red curls were piled atop her head into an updo secured with a lovely headband.—
Marci Robin,
Allure,
28 Jan. 2026
-
That insurance plays such a material role in shaping Simon’s dilemma is a lovely bit of mundanity.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“First-string.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/first-string. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
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